Review: "One swallow doesn't make a summer" isn't just a famous aphorism by the philosopher Aristotle. It's also the name of this stalwart Running Back V/A compilation, which aims to live by the mantle of the famous Ancient Greek thinker's passion for gestalt consistency via a stunning series of house musical forward-movers. This time bringing five tracks across the spectrum of technicolour dance music, we kick off on the trance-dance pscyho-efflorescences of Ricardo Baez' 'The Age Of Energy' and end on the twinklingly ovular world-as-will that is Jonus Eric's 'Ribbon'. All tracks here burst with the energy of a flowerbed on steroidal growth serum, yeahsome yellers and puce petunias flourishing with lady-lucky eudaimonia.
Review: This glorious package of remixes of the BaianaSystem band draws together contemporary Brazilian sounds with plenty of modern dance floor flourishes. A?gua is the standout track from their 2018 LP and is a poem to the bands native Bahia people with the legendary Antonio Carlos & Jocafi. It is perfect material to rework for different settings and deep house don Jimpster does that with his fat bottomed, tropical remix then stripped back dub. Brazilian producer Diogo Strausz joins forces with RNT boss JKriv on the flip for a more drawn out and cosmic exploration that pumps up and down on weight bass and that lovely loose jumble of percussion.
Kai Alce - "Benefit" (NDATL instrumental mix) (5:58)
Byron The Aquarius - "Sun Gods" (5:37)
Review: People Of Earth strides into the New Year with a new project called The Elements Series. Part one welcomes some serious names, not least Detroit's ambient and techno master John Beltran who kicks off with 'Nuyorico' a joyous, chord-laced house groove laden with organic percussion. Javonntte's 'Tropical Feelings' is another of his textbook deep house cuts with whispered vocals bringing a spiritual vibe. Atlanta's main man Kai Alce does his do with the jazzy synth energy of shuffling house cut 'Benefit' (NDATL instrumental mix) then Byron The Aquarius pairs things back to dusty drums and humid chords on 'Sun Gods'. This one is only for the real heads.
Review: Tony Black's latest single, 'Sexy Lady,' released on FullTime Production, is a vibrant blend of disco, funk, and house. The track features standout vocals from Nadyne Rush and Jacob A, adding a soulful touch to its infectious beat. 'Sexy Lady' is instantly memorable, capturing the essence of each genre it fuses. The remix contributions by Italian producer Da Lukas deliver powerful club-ready versions, with the Da Lukas remix and Da Lukas vocalize remix both offering distinctive grooves. Souls Groove's mix brings out the funk and soul elements, showcasing the more musical side. Each version of the track adds its own unique flavour, making 'Sexy Lady' a versatile release.
Review: "Right, OK!" Worm Records offer up their second various artists release for 2024, coming just a neat two months after September's inaugural release featuring Ruf Dug, Wallace, The Mole and Gallegos. Now the label turn their hand to a completely different league of artists, convoking Boulderhead, Wooka, DMX Krew and Jorg Kuning for yet another star-studded audio-strudel, spanning both chilled and heated ends of the spectrum. Boulderhead's A1 is the ludic highlight among the four, a charming Valley Girl voice peppering the vocal track with exceptional backhandedness; we hear talk of floating on clouds and an affect of casual acceptance behind the glitch-science, suggesting vibes of bounciness and breeze. Wooka goes sillier speed garage on 'Make Yourself Comfortable', a challenging charge given the track's otherwise rather jagged jam; Krew and Koenig close things off on a comparatively calm note, the former's B1 opting for a set of bruk-en beats and wet synth yaps, and the latter's 'Imbolc' quiescing with clement Rhodeses and homely drum machines.
Brooklyn Baby & Ten Fingerz - "Back To Acid" (5:54)
James Curd & Ten Fingerz - "Stash & Ride" (feat Mr Flip) (5:52)
S3A & Ten Fingerz - "We Are Acid Friendz" (6:28)
Tomasi Brothers & Ten Fingerz - "After Hours Club" (5:43)
Review: This new one from Frappe Records is all about the joy of collaboration and crafting banging acid cuts that tap into the genre's great traditions. As an all-time acid afficionado, Ten Fingerz features on them all starting with his 'Back to Acid' jam with Brooklyn Baby which is a brilliant throwback. With James Curd he gets more heady with the soft acid lines of 'Stash & Ride' and with S3A things get deep and slinky with 'We are Acid Friends' perfect for 5 am sessions. Last of all, Tomasi Brothers & Ten Fingerz craft 'After Hours Club' which is a timeless acid house workout.
Review: Native Soul Recordings has been around a long old time in dance music terms and now it looks back over some of its finest works with this first in a new series of Best Of comps. Music writer Harold Heath is first up with 'Slipstream,' an effortless smooth late-night house cut with introspective chords and silky pads bringing real depth. The Candy Dealers get more lithe and elastic with the spraying bass and jumbled percussive house of 'Train Of Thought' and last of all, Asad Rizvi remixes Jevne's 'Moderize' with a funky little bassline and chord vamps that keep you on edge. A tasteful package of timeless house grooves.
Review: DJs this one is for you, The Makossa Man is back AGAIN after its 18 years of hiatus with more of their covers and remixes of the original 2003 EP. Limited to just 300 copies this is a much-welcomed love letter to DJs and the original EP, giving it a lease of new life and being a much-anticipated sequel to the sold-out original Makossa Man Remix EP that is set to release later this August. Carlos Nilmmns and Simoncino are a welcome return to the roster, serving up another plate of fantastic tribal deep house. The rhythms are infectious and hopefully serve as samples for some incredible DJ sets to come.
Kerri Chandler - "Who's Afraid Of The Dark" (8:10)
Josh Butler - "Sunday Club" (6:32)
Review: 'Organized Kaos' is a new series from Kerri Chandler's Kaoz Theory label that offers first vinyl outings for cuts from the imprint's vaults. For volume one, Chandler has selected missives initially released digitally in the middle of the last decade. First up is the legendary New Jersey producer's own 'Who's Afraid of the Dark', a typical late-night roller in which sci-fi synth stabs, pianos and his own hushed, spoken word snippets rise above detailed drums a dark, infectious analogue bassline. Turn to the flip for Josh Butler's 'Sunday Club', a subtly UK garage-influenced number that pairs crackling, swinging drums and deep sub bass with woozy deep house chords and mind-mangling, low-register analogue riffs.
Review: Bristol's cultured Innate label is back with a first outing of the year and it returns to their various artists format with a mix of talents all making their mark. UK veteran Tom Churchill opens up with 'Unknown Unknowns (Edit)', which brings plenty of fuzzy and lo-fi aesthetic to jacked up drums and spaced-out pads. Rai Scott then shows her class with 'Suasion' that sinks down deep into immersive drums and is subtly lit up with simmering strings. Innate co-founders Owain K and Gilbert then hook-up under their brand new alias Curved Space and showcase their love of electro with 'Reverie,' a dreamy cut that glows with nice celestial melodies and will have dance floors in a zoned-out state. Last of all it's Lisbon mainstay Jorge Caiado who debuts with the chord-laced 'Floating Without Lifting,' a sophisticated and serene jazz-techno cut that takes you to the stars.
JKriv - "Better Than Her" (feat Saucy Lady & Tortured Soul) (4:39)
Kim Anh - "In The Stars" (5:06)
Cody Currie - "Ghost" (4:48)
Review: Razor-N-Tape's Family Affair series makes a welcome return here with a third great instalment. This series is something of an annual end-of-year tradition by now (OK, it's arriving a touch late) and this one hits as hard as any with five tracks taken from the full and standout compilation. It is two great remixes of classic RNT material that gets things underway with Ezel offering a dub of Cor.ece and Bruce Leroys sublime deep hose mix of Guinu, then JKriv's 'Better Than Her' is a fat bottomed bit of deep cut electro funk and elsewhere Kim Anh gets raw and cosmic, and Cody Currie's 'Ghost' is broken beat perfection.
Cor.ece & JKriv - "Dance To Keep From Crying" (extended mix) (8:01)
Cor.ece & Danny Kane - "What's The Word" (4:52)
Cor.ece - "Possibly Impossible" (feat Dave Giles II - Crackazat dub) (5:11)
Cor.ece - "Possibly Impossible" (feat Dave Giles II - extended mix) (6:46)
Review: Following the digital release of Cor.ece's debut EP, New York City's Razor N Tape drops the Dance To Keep From Crying 12' with fresh versions and exclusive remixes. On the first side, there's the soulful disco of the title track (extended mix) in collaboration with label co-head JKriv, followed by the acidified spiritual deep house of 'What's The Word' featuring Danny Kane. Over on the flip, get stoned into the groove with the Crackazat dub of 'Possibly Impossible' (feat Dave Giles II) and the late night boogie down vibe of the extended mix.
Review: The Tribut label is dedicated to the "legend", of whom there are many, and we must say that Tribut themselves are at first deliberately obscure about who they're referring to. It's only further listens that reveal their references: the first edition in their eponymous series hears four hazy minimal recollections of pop, disco and rock classics laid to half-forgotten wax. As if to suggest that the stars of yore have been obscured in a miasma of danceable drives and industrial process, producer Marcelo Cura lays down two tributes on the A, 'Bowie's Dance Tribute' for David Bowie and 'Senor Break'; he then teams up with Ja Kub for two more labile knockers/movers, 'Prince's Future Tribute' for Prince and 'Nina's Blackbird Tribute' for Nina Simone.
James Curd & Jonasclean - "Mullen It Over" (Fred P Reinterpretation) (8:43)
James Curd & Jonasclean - "Mullen It Over" (Marcel Vogal remix) (7:08)
James Curd - "Mullen It Over" (3:38)
James Curd - "Tried For Love" (feat Robert Owens) (3:39)
Review: The Pronto (house) label races onward and upwards with a sixth release that is here to get the floor bumping. It's a collaborative affair from James Curd & Jonasclean who race out of the blocks with the fat and heavy stomper 'Mullen It Over' which has snaking leads and rushy-feels. Would it surprise you to learn that the Fred P Reinterpretation is deep, heady and spiritual? Marcel Vogal remixes too, though with a more upbeat feel and lush summery chords. Curd also provides a solo prison of the same track that piles up the chords and a 'Tried For Love' (feat Robert Owens) is classic vocal Chicago house.
Review: After years spent serving up tasty, digital-only singles, Polish imprint That's Right Dawg Music finally makes its vinyl bow via a six-track mini-album featuring some of their most-checked catalogue cuts. Demarkus Lewis kicks things off via the carefully crafted disco-house release of 'TGIF', before Federfunk slams down the jazz-sampling peak-time punchiness of 'We Keep It Groovin' and Jazzmik offers up the funky deep house bounce of 'Get Him Outta Here'. Over on the reverse, Oggie B cannily combines mind-mangling electronic stabs, pumping beats and orgasmic vocal samples ('Steady Old Foot'), Makson makes great use of vintage rap and disco guitar samples on the energy-packed house thump of 'Last Man Standing', and Casserta and Jonny C join forces on the bass-heavy garage-house bump of 'Party #1'.
Review: Berlin's Cocktail d'Amore and Tokyo's Ene Records have come together once again to present the music of Solidair. The duo of Cocktail alumni Luigi Di Venere and Jules Etienne present three tracks aimed to induce a dance floor hypnosis. Orgonite (Riding the Waves) does just that, a slow build awash in the ebb and flow of acid tinges, just enough to wet your whistle on a Saturday night. The original mix keeps the skeletal support but throws in a life preserver of 8 bit gaming synthesis. Frisky arps call and respond to each other before making way for sinewy pads to lift off. Tiger's Eye sets itself onto cruising speed incorporating elements of late 90's acid techno with the sleek and smooth clubbing aesthetics of modern day Berlin.
Jack Swift - "Highrise" (Devstar Feel The Vibe remix) (6:15)
Review: SPIL Records follows up its impressive vinyl debut here with a second 12" release featuring fresh tracks from label head Jack Swift and Scott Diaz. Diaz kicks off with 'Like Dis' which is all classic US house drums and bouncy bass, then Timmy P & Lunoize's 'Ouch' is a swirling, vocal-laced party starter. Swift then offers 'Burning' which is a lively garage house cut with throwback diva vocals. Devstar's Feel The Vibe remix shuts down with some more naughty, dark and dirty bassline sounds perfect for pumping up the floor.
Review: Canada's hottest topic breaks, edits and golden era DJ, DJ Pump, links fellow firestarter Jim Sharp for a new collaborative add to a multifarious backlog of digitals and records. As ever, Pump and Sharp build on a predilection for soul and hip-hop edits, and craft an impressive two-track 7" from the sources so tapped. Both 'Haayaa!' and 'Oh My' revolve around distinct period cuts from 90s a la Missy Elliott or Ludacris; plus an encyclopaedic knowledge on the part of both artists makes itself manifest on the B-side's 'Oh My!', which particularly samples Tweet's 2002 'Oops Oh My', priming it for the wonkiest reinterpretive play.
Review: Three sumptuous offerings of quality grooves from the Aesthetic series, as Paris club scene fave Djebali and Argentinian DJ and producer Jorge Savorett join forces once again. This choice trio definitely veers on the side of the under rather than over stated, preferring to rely on warm rhythmic flourishes and enticing, inviting instrumentation rather than thumping firepower or gimmickry. The beats are tight and hypnotic, with perhaps just the slightest hint of a nod to the shuffling drum machine funk of early Derrick May productions like 'Nude Photo' here and the more head nodding repetition of Chicago jack house there. Aesthetically pleasing for sure.
Review: Part one of Refuge's new La Decima V/A 12" series hears select tunes from select artists, all of whom have made significant contributions to the label's catalogue over the years. Spanning everything from firmly driven nu-disco to scratch n' sniff garage house to Chi-style stompers, we're more than enthralled by this well-rounded resonator. The best of the bunch has to be Demuir's 'Vibez High', which moves unabashed and stringy, its clawing claps, freeze-locked funk licks and scraping open hats painting a vivid street scene set outside the house.
Review: Inhale Exhale will have you doing just that at a fair pace once you've dropped the needle on their latest record. It's a sweet trip into the depths of house and disco with seasoned artist Eddie C igniting the dance floor with a disco-infused anthem sure to set your hips swaying. Tilman crafts a delectable nu-groove track evoking the essence of the 90s with 'Forevermore' and then debuting on vinyl, Julius Renner embarks on a soulful journey to the heart of the dancefloor. Fresh talent Toomy Disco offers a funky, introspective bomb, Ron Brown serves up a deep, Latin-infused organ piece brimming with melancholy and optimism. Last of all, Meeshoo delivers a soul-stirring fusion of strings and disco brilliance.
Review: Akka & BeepBeep is a new label from the US that is dropping its first two EPs simultaneously on Valentine's Day. Joradesilver is behind one, and also feature sin collaborative mode on this other 12". It opens with 'King David', a hi-tek house sound with soul drenched pads and tightly programmed drums and bass. 'Mango Strut' slows right down to dubbed out house with clattering percussion and the sound of spacecraft, then 'June Buggy' gets funky with more twitchy cosmic synths and a nice organic house groove. 'Callin' Dybbs' is a deep and smoky closer for the backroom with a sublime sax line drifting throughout.
Gettoblaster & Terry Mullan - "Armando's Ghost" (5:09)
Gettoblaster - "Is's Bangin'" (feat Joe Smooth) (5:03)
Gettoblaster & Chip E - "Time To Jack" (edit) (5:15)
Review: This new 12" on Aliens On Wax declares that Chicago Jack Is Back and we are fine with that. The raw, early, street wise sounds of the Windy City are still some of the best house has ever given rise to and that is encapsulated across four new cuts from Gettoblaster and two collaborators. First it's Baggi on 'Throwin' Down' (feat Chip E) then it's Terry Mullan on 'Armando's Ghost'. The flipside has the solo cuts though both feature house legends Chip E and Joe Smooth making this the most authentic package of jack you will have heard in some time.
Review: This collaboration between Jimi Tenor and Tomasz Guiddo shines brightly and features a heartwarming hook that really lodges deep in the brain as 'Where The Wild Roam' pairs ancient-sounding lo-fi drums with a Western-style whistle and plenty of earthy, twanging guitars. Next up the legendary Louie Austen lends his vocals to 'Smile' for a steamy and tropical house sound lit up with Latin melodies over a shuffling, samba-adjacent rhythm. Erobique, known for chart hits in Europe and his work with DJ Koze, contributes his magic, while Freestyle Man, aka Sasse from Moodmusic, delivers his trademark deep house style. Ale Castro adds a DJ-friendly house version, enhancing the EP's overall allure.
Review: It's worth noting this is a pretty impressive 125th EP from the Bristol label Shall Not Fade. The shine has not come off this always eclectic label in that time and next up to move things on is the dream team pairing of Lawrence J and J Peacock. 'Too Far To Come Back' opens up with some celebratory Daft Punk-style, hands-in-the-air and festival-sized house. 'Everything I've Got' keeps it a little deeper but filter synths still take centre stage with a balmy twist and 'Brother John' slows to heavy beatdown house with rapturous chords and vocals all swirling around to great and uplifting effect.
Herd & Fitz/Hannah Wants/Abigail Bailey - "I Just Can't Get Enough 2024" (6:39)
Herd & Fitz/Jakkob/Abigail Bailey - "I Just Can't Get Enough 2024" (5:26)
Herd & Fitz/Abigail Bailey - "I Just Can't Get Enough 2024" (5:16)
Herd & Fitz/Abigail Bailey - "I Just Can't Get Enough 2024" (H&F Sunrise mix) (6:00)
Review: Back in 2006, Jason Herd and Jon Fitz scored a colossal club hit with 'Just Can't Get Enough', a funky and chunky house number featuring impassioned lead vocals by Abigail Bailey and a prominent sample from Kariya's late-80s dancefloor classic 'Let Me Love You For Tonight'. 18 years on, the track has been given a makeover. Hannah Wants steps up first, retaining the vocals and Kariya synth samples while combining it with a beefy, tooled-up house groove, before Jakob reaches for mid-90s organ bass, a grandiose breakdown and even bigger builds. Flip for two reworks by Herd and Fitz - a rushing, peak-time friendly, radio-ready big room house re-wire, and a bouncier, piano-sporting 'Sunrise' revision.
Review: Reel People Music's vinyl sampler series is back with a third offering, this time once again bringing together a fine crew of artists on lovely turquoise vinyl. Up first is a wonderful remix by Opolopo of Adina Howard that brings jazzy keys and heavy deep house drums, then Rocco Rodamaal keeps it deep with a low slung groove topped with diva vocals full of soul. The Reel People vocal mix of Zo! is another heart-swelling and soul-drenched deep house roller with lavish synth work and last of all, Michael Gray closes out with a slinky number defined by funky bass licks and classy vocals.
Coming To You (House N' HD Terry Hunter & Mike Dunn Soulfrica mix) (6:19)
Review: On vinyl here for the first time are four tracks by acclaimed soul songstress Jill Scott, remixed by house music veteran Terry Hunter. Originally released on his 4 T's Box Productions back in 2016, they were only available on digital for some time. Story has it that Scott's manager wanted to get proper remixes done from her 2015 opus "Woman" and they agreed that Hunter would be the best person to do it. Beginning with the super sexy funky house rework of "Can't Wait" before going deep and spiritual on the Afro-house vibe remix of "Lighthouse", the smooth late night romance on the "Chicago Remix" of "Prepared" and closing with fellow Chicagoan legend Mike Dunn under their House N' HD alias. Hunter is quoted as saying "it was a great remix package. It's an official one and I'm proud of that" - and rightfully so!
Review: Toolroom's Fool's Paradise offshoot has done a good job in offering up fresh, disco-inspired material, but it also acts as an outlet for key crew member Michael Gray's 21st century reworks of classic disco cuts. On this 12", the long-serving Essex producer puts his slant on Inner Life's boogie-era gem 'I Like It Like That', a 1982 Salsoul single fronted by a then young Jocelyn Brown and produced by Leroy Burgess and Patrick Adams associate Stan Lucas. Gray begins with a lightly housed-up - but suitably reverential - full vocal remix, ensuring plenty of space for the studio band's squiggly synths, bold pianos and dextrous bass guitar. Arguably even better is the B-side 'Dub', which alternates between heavy groove sections, extended breakdowns and effects-laden showcases of Inner Life's piano, bass and synths.
Turned Your Back (Atjazz extended remix instrumental) (5:03)
Review: J Axel and Eva Essa find magical harmony on this new collaboration on the Do It Now Recordings Vinylized label. 'Turned Your Back' is a perfectly heart-melting, life-affirming bit of soul-drenched and intimate deep house with gorgeous vocals and super smooth drums all healing you to your core as the gentle rhythms wash over you time and time again. It's a faultless original but one that is also ripe for remixing and who better than Atjazz who slightly ups the tempo but keeps the deep, wavy rhythmic vibes and adds a little cosmic magic in the synths. A sublime package indeed.
Review: Jack D's Regional Groove EP, the second record on the Dias De Campo label, kicks off in style with tech house roller 'Magic Pipe' and the title track both boasting a pulsing atmosphere and a nice, upbeat energy. 'Dub Traveller' is also a strong track and 'Congo Experiment', the downtempo addition to the bunch to close things out, both catchy and fun. If you're into 90s tech house, then you'll really enjoy these very much.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Dusk Till Dawn (with Liz Cass) (5:59)
Move Your Body (with Liz Cass) (6:45)
Get High & Dance (6:43)
Won't You? (6:15)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Cameron Jack returns to Crosstown Rebels with his first EP on the label, delivering a standout offering that showcases two collaborations with vocalist Liz Cass and two solo productions. London-born, Ibiza-based DJ/producer Cameron quickly rises in the house scene, supported by key figures like Damian Lazarus, Blond:ish and Lee Burridge. 2024 sees him sharing stages with Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, and DJ Tennis, further solidifying his presence. On 'The Late Shift,' he explores his late-night sound with 'Dusk Till Dawn,' a track that blends deep grooves with Liz's seductive vocals, and 'Move Your Body,' which invites listeners into an infectious dancefloor moment. The solo tracks 'Get High And Dance' and 'Won't You?' round off the release, keeping the energy rolling with captivating rhythms.
Review: Cameron Jack returns to Crosstown Rebels with his first EP on the label, delivering a standout offering that showcases two collaborations with vocalist Liz Cass and two solo productions. London-born, Ibiza-based DJ/producer Cameron quickly rises in the house scene, supported by key figures like Damian Lazarus, Blond:ish and Lee Burridge. 2024 sees him sharing stages with Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, and DJ Tennis, further solidifying his presence. On 'The Late Shift,' he explores his late-night sound with 'Dusk Till Dawn,' a track that blends deep grooves with Liz's seductive vocals, and 'Move Your Body,' which invites listeners into an infectious dancefloor moment. The solo tracks 'Get High And Dance' and 'Won't You?' round off the release, keeping the energy rolling with captivating rhythms.
Little Orphan Boy (Two Soul Fusion Downtempo remix) (10:25)
Little Orphan Boy (Two Soul Fusion instrumental) (14:00)
Review: Josh Milan and Louie Vega are real heavyweights and as Soul Fusion they step up here to remix the legendary 'Little Orphan Boy' which is the second single taken from album 'This Is Brian Jackson', the veteran artist's first true solo LP in over 20 years. They do so across four different versions and give it a vintage treatment. The extended 'Two Soul Fusion' mix brings back golden era of Masters at Work with a Latin-infused percussion groove while the 'Downtempo' remix lets Brian Jackson's vocals ride over a stripped back but just as soulful arrangement.
Review: Gideon Jackson and Eddie Richards are bona fide tech house titans who have more than helped to shape the genre since day dot and the All Rise EP sees three of their finer past glories gathered together and remastered and pressed on lovely red wax. The excellent 'Biscuit Barrel Blues' opens with exactly the sort of compelling drum work you would expect and it is imbued with some prying synths and sultry vocals. There is an irresistible glitch and dryness to 'Pull Tab 2 Open' and its smeared pads that make it perfect body music then 'Crying' (Gideon Jackson remix) brings a more heavy tech house sound with extra dub weight. Perfection.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.